The costs

Once you?ve decided what type of childcare suits you best, you then face the next major hurdle. How to pay for it. British parents pay the highest childcare costs in Europe. Typical costs for full-time childcare for a family with two children - one at pre-school

and one at school age ? are a staggering £6,000 a year. That?s more than the average family?s annual food bill.

If that wasn't bad enough, the childcare gap is growing, according to the Daycare Trust. There is only one registered childcare place providing full-time care for every 7.5 children under the age of eight. Most rural parishes (86%) have no private nursery and no after-school club (92%).

But, before you give up your job in dismay, take heart. You may be entitled to some form of childcare subsidy.